need strength training help

A) Don't be afraid! They're usually helpful at the gym, and want to encourage newbies
If you want to stick at home, google resistance band exercises, and find ones that hit each muscle group, then maybe start with 2 per group.
C) Don't work the same muscle group on consecutive days. You can do them all one day, or split it up.

There are a whole host of ways you can start strength training. Since you have the free weights available at the gym, I would suggest using them rather than machines. Free weights force you to work more muscles since you also need to balance and stabilize the load.

To start I would suggest what they call compound movements, that is exercises that use more than one muscle group/ more than one joint. I would especially recommend squats, romanian deadlifts, overhead presses, bench presses, and bent over rows all using barbells, although you could use dumbells for most of them. For how to do these the best bet is ask the trainers at the gym, but you can also look on youtube. I would suggest after warming up with some light cardio for 5-10 minutes, do a set of 6-8 repetitions of the exercise with a light weight. Rest for a minute or so, then do 3 more sets of 6-8 repetitions with a heavier weight. I would suggest to start use all light weights or you will be very sore, but after a week, increase the weight to something that you need to work for the last repetition.

First: Congrats on starting strength training, once you get going you'll notice fat melting off because the more muscle you have the more calories you burn on a daily basis, even when standing still...

Second: For the first few weeks it is always better to error on the side of too little weight. If your body is not used to it then it can be very easy to over do it and pull or sprain something. Take it slow, starting with low weights, do a few sets and start to slowly gauge where your current resistence level should be.

Third: Stretch, Stretch, Stretch before and after. I also do cardio for about 10-13 mins before I lift. Stretching helps avoid both injury and soreness.

A book I enjoyed that is not just about lifting but has a lot in it is Body for Life, I'm sure its available at used bookstores, and there's always lots of info on the internets and on here if you do a keyword search of the message boards. Good Luck and have fun.

So now that I'm starting to notice the inches melting...I want to get more tone. I love having a personal trainer but I can't afford one

So I feel kind of lost and confused as where to start with strength training on my own...anyone have any advice or routines they'd like to share?

My gym has machines and free weights but I feel kind of intimidated in there. I have some 5lb weights at home and some resistance bands. Any advice?

Thanks

Tone will only come with weight loss I'm afraid. That doesn't mean don't lift, but lift for calorie burns, muscle growth (it won't turn you into a female body builder overnight either) and improved fitness.

Also, don't listen to whoever said to stretch before and after. Stretching has NOT proven to decrease injury occurance and is likely to make you sorer, as you cause more microdamage. This microdamage also limits the power the muscles can create, reducing the work-out's effectiveness.

Flexibility training is good, stretching as some kind of warm-up or "injury-prevention" is not.

Finally, don't be intimidated. Give the machines a go first if you're unsure, they force you into good form (assuming you have them set up right- most will have instructions on the machine) reducing the risk of injury. They aren't as effective as free-weights, but for peace of mind, they're worth it.

I have found that Jillian Michaels 6 week 6 pack has helped me tone my tummy massively. I have also heard 30 day shred is very good for all over toning. I try to do my DVD whilst wearing ankle weights for extra resistance. I got my DVD and ankle weights from amazon very cheap.